If you hear the train a comin’, you’re probably at the Capistrano

When you walk in: You might feel a little wary entering a bar so close to the railroad tracks, but with a clean exterior and inviting neon lights, you swallow your reservations and enter anyway. If your first question at a bar is, “Do you have any drink specials?” then at Capistrano’s Lounge you will be surprised when you hear the answer. Train Shots, bar’s choice, are $1 and offered whenever a train passes by. Making the best of any situation is definitely a Capistrano feature.

Restrooms are: To the left, in the corner.

The layout: Large open room with pool tables on the left, bar counter in the center, and a mirrored dance floor/stage on the right. The best seats in the house are by the dance floor. Tall, rectangular tables are lined up with a view to the stage and are best when shared with strangers. Invite someone to sit down and enjoy the conversations that follow.

Valentino Mauricio/cat5

The crowd: Is friendly, energetic and ready to get loud when the right moment occurs. If you’re attending on a Thursday night, that right moment is when someone takes the stage for karaoke and belts out a crowd-pleaser. Being on pitch is the best, but even someone who hasn’t taken vocal lessons can get the crowd dancing. Remember to engage the audience, add your own unique energy and project your voice.

The ambiance: For the lack of a better word, Capistrano is normal. Whether location, instinct or some uncharacteristic pessimism steered me into thinking otherwise, there wasn’t some big sign telling me that Capistrano was awesome. Rather, I walked inside and felt comfortable. People are dressed simply as themselves, whether that meant a camouflage visor or a flowery sundress. In a place where preconceived notions fly out as soon as you walk in the door, you have an environment for some serious fun.

The pitch: Called “The Cap” by fans and employees alike, Capistrano is kind of an underdog. It’s on the train tracks, it’s off the beaten path, and it has an Italian-sounding name but advertises itself as a lounge. While all of those things seem like a giant negative, they all work together to make one thing extra special: the people that choose to come here.

There’s no cover and you don’t have to tip to bump your name up on the waiting list; however, you might want to after you’ve seen the extensive list of songs available to sing. There is something for everyone, from soft ballads, to energetic dance songs, to rock anthems.

If you plan to drink: Grab a vodka tonic for $3.25 or a Miller Lite for $2.50. If you’re in the mood for something that hits harder than a screwdriver without a harsh alcoholic taste, see if you can get a Sneaky Bitch. Combining Midori, Malibu, Absolut and orange juice, and costing $7.50, it’s a great way to start a night of belting out your favorite tunes.

Verdict: This bar has something endearing about it that transcends good service, good drink prices and a good events calendar. Whatever draws people out to this bar, it keeps them there much longer and brings them back more often than one might expect.